Carlson, Shitabata Qualify For NAAC National Finals

Mark Carlson, '10, and Cheryl Shitabata, '10, posted a perfect record at the San Francisco Regional of the National Appellate Advocacy Competition and advanced to the national finals of the ABA event scheduled for next month in Chicago.

Carlson and Shitabata were one of four teams to emerge from a field of 33 teams representing some of the leading law schools in the West. Among their victories in amassing a 5-0 record were wins over strong teams from the University of Houston and the University of Oregon.

Professor Ed Telfeyan, '75, and attorney Erich Shiners, '06, coached the Pacific McGeorge team at the regional competition that was held from February 25-27, 2010, at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

"Our other ABA team was comprised of Nathaniel Clark, '10, and Andrea Dupray, '11," said Telfeyan. "They also fared very well in their rounds and deserve credit for the support and assistance they provided to Mark and Cheryl both during the competition and in the long weeks leading up to it.

"I'm very proud to have coached these outstanding students, but must extend special thanks to adjunct professor Erich Shiners, who, as my assistant coach, did all the heavy lifting throughout the weeks leading up to our successful weekend," added Telfeyan. "We're most fortunate to have Erich, who went to the ABA finals with a team when he was a student at McGeorge in 2006, involved in our program."

NAAC is the largest such competition in the country, with 119 schools sending over 200 teams to the six regional locations. The national finals are scheduled for April 8-10 at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and the Supreme Court of Illinois.